After you graduate from high school, you can choose to go to college. College is a four-year school where you stretch and exercise your mind. College helps you think bigger and better. It’s a place where you learn to speak and write well. In college you will meet and learn to get along with students of all different colors, religions, and nationalities. These are some of the reasons why college graduates usually get paid more in their grown-up jobs.

You need to go to college if you want to be a scientist, architect, computer programmer, lawyer, or doctor. You can even study to be a dancer or a movie director. One of the very best things about getting a college education is it helps you get the job you really want. Many jobs today require a college degree.

Check out the average salaries of people with and without a college education:
- No high school diploma: $20,724 per year
- High school diploma: $34,373 per year
- Four-year bachelor’s degree: $62,188 per year
- Professional degree (lawyer, doctor, veterinarian): $95,309 per year

You can start preparing for college as early as fifth grade. Here’s how:
1. Get good grades!
2. Tell your parents you want to go to college.
3. Tell your teachers too. They will be able to help you get on the right track.
4. Ask adults for help, they can keep an eye out for after school and summer programs that can help you exercise your mind.

College is a place where you can learn and have fun too!